Guenther Steiner names which driver he thinks will beat Max Verstappen at the Hungarian Grand Prix

Follow us on Google Discover

After a short break following the first triple-header of the season, Formula 1 returns to action at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Hungaroring has already made changes to honour Ayrton Senna this year and marks the start of the second half of the 2024 campaign.

Red Bull star Max Verstappen is once again leading the championship and is on course to win his fourth consecutive title.

He can afford to miss out on points in the next three races and would still be top of the standings regardless of who wins those Grand Prix.

The Hungarian Grand Prix is set to be one of the hottest races of the season, making tyre management a key component of the race.

With three teams definitely feeling like they’re in the mix for victory on Sunday – and Ferrari hoping they can work out their most recent update to join them – it’s set to be another fascinating weekend of action.

Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has shared his prediction for the race.

He believes that Verstappen may once again miss out on victory having only won one of the last three races.

Instead, Steiner believes that McLaren driver and Verstappen’s closest rival in the championship Lando Norris will earn the second win of his F1 career.

The British driver has proven this year that he’s in the top tier of drivers with his performances.

However, Norris has been warned that he must be careful after potentially throwing away a victory at his home Grand Prix in Silverstone.

READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from height and parents to celebration

Guenther Steiner predicts Lando Norris to win the Hungarian Grand Prix

Asked who he thinks will come out on top in Hungary, Steiner said: “McLaren.

“It’s hot in Hungary, always hot in Hungary and that McLaren is good on this stuff.

“Normally in Hungary, it is the heat, it can be an issue, it’s one of the hottest races if not the hottest one after Mexico.

“It was almost there [for McLaren] but it wasn’t there, I think it will come.”

Asked if he thinks it’ll be Norris or Piastri that wins the race, Steiner added: “Lando [Norris].”

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about McLaren F1 Team from team principal to engine

McLaren must be perfect to defeat Max Verstappen and Red Bull

Lando Norris will feel that he’s got a fast enough car to challenge Max Verstappen in Hungary.

However, McLaren are less experienced than Red Bull when it comes to converting winning opportunities into victories.

The team got both Norris’s and Oscar Piastri’s strategies wrong at Silverstone, denying them both the chance to win the race.

Piastri should have been double-stacked during the first round of pit stops, while Norris not being put onto the medium tyres for the final stint of the race was a crucial error.

Martin Brundle thought McLaren’s treatment of Norris during the race was unfair although the longer they’re running at the front, the better they’ll get at nailing these opportunities.

McLaren also benefit from both Norris and Piastri being capable of challenging at the front of the grid.

Red Bull have serious concerns with Sergio Perez who is fighting to save his seat despite only signing a new contract last month.